Khawaja backed as mystery surrounds Australia XI for Gabba

Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne has thrown his support behind teammate Usman Khawaja as the veteran opener battles fitness concerns ahead of the second Ashes Test against England in Brisbane.
Khawaja suffered back spasms for much of the opening Test of the series in Perth and managed a brief session in the nets at training on Monday as he pushes to regain his place in the Aussie XI for the day-night contest at the Gabba that commences on Thursday.
A recent dip in form has added further speculation on Khawaja's spot in the side - the left-hander has managed just one Test century since the Ashes series in England in 2023 - but Labuschagne knows how important his fellow top-order player is when at the peak of his powers.
"Usman's a high-quality player. You look at his record … what he's done for Australian cricket, especially since he's come back, he's been super consistent, he's been really the rock of at the top there," Labuschagne said.
"There's been a lot of talk about how many opening partners he's had over his time.
"But I'm not a selector and whatever happens is all up to people above my pay grade and what they think is the best way for us to win the game and win this series.
"It's just game by game, and you work out what's your best team and how does it best work for the game."
If Khawaja can't prove his fitness for his home Test in Brisbane then the Aussies may opt to use hard-hitting lefty Travis Head at the top of their order after he scored a match-winning century in the role of opener in the second innings against England in Perth.
Head fuelled the fire even further earlier this week when he indicted that he would be happy to remain at the top of the batting order should selectors decide this was the best option for the team.
“They've (Austrlia selectors understood where I’ve sat with it for a period of time now,” Head told Australian radio station SEN.
“We've obviously talked about the replacement for David Warner, and I always threw my name up and always threw the option there. Obviously I do it in international white-ball cricket.
“So, I threw myself as an option if that's what was necessary for the team and best suited for the team. We've been in and out of that conversation a fair bit over the last two years. We're back at it again.
“So, for me, it's just about working out where Pat (Cummins), Steve (Smith), Ron (Andrew McDonald), Bails (George Bailey) and those guys see me best in the team and where I can best contribute and how we win games of cricket.
“There's no doubt we're having those conversations… but I’m just happy to do what the team requires.”
If Khawaja is unable to play in Brisbane then the Aussies have three options to replace him in their squad, with all-rounder Beau Webster, keeper-batter Josh Inglis and back-up pacer Michael Neser the remaining players in the 14-member group.
Skipper Pat Cummins is not in Australia's squad for Brisbane and is likely to return for the third Test in Adelaide from December 17.
Australia squad for second Test: Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
Series schedule:
First Test: Perth Stadium, November 21-25 (Australia won by eight wickets)
Second Test: Gabba, December 4-8
Third Test: Adelaide Oval, December 17-21
Fourth Test: MCG, December 26-30
Fifth Test: SCG, January 4-8